Abstract: A method and apparatus for segmenting geobodies extracted from three-dimensional geophysical survey data volumes. In one embodiment, the invention involves (a) obtaining a plurality of data elements, respectively corresponding to three-dimensional locations in a subsurface region, and generating a data volume consisting of discrete cells from the plurality of data elements (1); (b) identifying an initial geobody corresponding to a potential hydrocarbon reservoir within the data volume by grouping cells in the data volume according to a selected connectivity criterion (2); (c) selecting a rule (3) that characterizes stratigraphically reasonable geobodies (e.g. they cannot vertically overlap); and (d) in response to a determination that the initial geobody does not conform to the rule, segmenting the initial geobody into a plurality of fundamental geobodies via processing the data elements with an automated segmentation routine, wherein the fundamental geobodies each conform to the rule (4).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using a three-dimensional seismic image of a subsurface earth volume to construct a geologic model specifying the spatially-varying grain size distribution, porosity, and permeability throughout the volume. The method applies to earth volumes composed of water-lain clastic sedimentary deposits and involves, in one embodiment, (a) identifying the outline forms of geologic bodies in geologic data; (b) using the outline forms of the geologic bodies to determine the spatially-varying grain size distribution within the bodies, guided by assumptions about the nature and behavior of the paleoflow that deposited the bodies; (c) determining rock properties such as, porosity and permeability within the geologic bodies based on grain-size distribution, mineralogy and burial history information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for segmenting geobodies extracted from three-dimensional geophysical survey data volumes. In one embodiment, the invention involves (a) obtaining a plurality of data elements, respectively corresponding to three-dimensional locations in a subsurface region, and generating a data volume consisting of discrete cells from the plurality of data elements (1); (b) identifying an initial geobody corresponding to a potential hydrocarbon reservoir within the data volume by grouping cells in the data volume according to a selected connectivity criterion (2); (c) selecting a rule (3) that characterizes strati graphically reasonable geobodies (e.g. they cannot vertically overlap); and (d) in response to a determination that the initial geobody does not conform to the rule, segmenting the initial geobody into a plurality of fundamental geobodies via processing the data elements with an automated segmentation routine, wherein the fundamental geobodies each conform to the rule (4).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using a three-dimensional seismic image of a subsurface earth volume to construct a geologic model specifying the spatially-varying grain size distribution, porosity, and permeability throughout the volume. The method applies to earth volumes composed of water-lain clastic sedimentary deposits and involves, in one embodiment, (a) identifying the outline forms of geologic bodies in geologic data; (b) using the outline forms of the geologic bodies to determine the spatially-varying grain size distribution within the bodies, guided by assumptions about the nature and behavior of the paleoflow that deposited the bodies; (c) determining rock properties such as, porosity and permeability within the geologic bodies based on grain-size distribution, mineralogy and burial history information.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for constructing a geologic model of a subsurface reservoir which is a composite sedimentary body (30) composed of many smaller fundamental sedimentary bodies (32). In one embodiment, the fundamental sedimentary bodies (32) within the composite body (30) are specified by the properties of the flow which built them, including the flow properties that existed at the local inlet (36) of each fundamental body (32). The statistical distribution of these local inlet properties is characterized throughout the composite sedimentary body (30) using either outline forms of some of the fundamental sedimentary bodies (32) or a well penetration which samples the composite sedimentary body (30).

Abstract: The invention is a method for performing a stratigraphically-based seed detection in a 3-D seismic data volume. The method incorporates criteria that honor the layered nature of the subsurface so that the resulting seismic objects are stratigraphically reasonable. The method may be used to extract from a seismic data volume all seismic objects that satisfy the input criteria. Alternatively, the method may be used to determine the size and shape of a specific seismic object in a seismic data volume.

Abstract: A method for predicting the connectivity of seismic objects identified by seed detection or similar methods.

Abstract: A method for predicting the connectivity of seismic objects identified by seed detection or similar methods.

Abstract: The invention is a method for performing a stratigraphically-based seed detection in a 3-D seismic data volume. The method incorporates criteria that honor the layered nature of the subsurface so that the resulting seismic objects are stratigraphically reasonable. The method may be used to extract from a seismic data volume all seismic objects that satisfy the input criteria. Alternatively, the method may be used to determine the size and shape of a specific seismic object in a seismic data volume.

Abstract: A method for analyzing and classifying the morphology of seismic objects extracted from a 3D seismic data volume. Any technique may be used to extract the seismic objects from the 3D seismic data volume. According to the inventive method, one or more morphologic parameters are selected for use in classifying the morphology of the selected seismic objects. Geometric analyses are then performed on each seismic object to determine geometric statistics corresponding to the selected morphologic parameters. The results of these geometric analyses are used to classify the morphology of the seismic objects according to the selected morphologic parameters.

Abstract: A method for analyzing and classifying the morphology of seismic objects extracted from a 3D seismic data volume. Any technique may be used to extract the seismic objects from the 3D seismic data volume. According to the inventive method, one or more morphologic parameters are selected for use in classifying the morphology of the selected seismic objects. Geometric analyses are then performed on each seismic object to determine geometric statistics corresponding to the selected morphologic parameters. The results of these geometric analyses are used to classify the morphology of the seismic objects according to the selected morphologic parameters.